Just a few short years after the departure of the Indian, the soldier and the cattle, one following up the grass-grown but still well defined trail from Sidney to the hills, would see on either side as far as the eye could see, deserted and crumbing "soddies" as so many tombstones standing at the grave of buried hopes. All of which meant that man in his extremity must resort to other means of accomplishing what his predecessor failed to attain. Attention was called to the North Platte river flowing across the northern half of Cheyenne county. Irrigation had accomplished wonders in that section of Colorado made famous by him who gave his name to Greeley, and the possibilities of that method of agriculture became the subject of universal discussion in this section of the country and many canals were projected, numerous appropriations made, and some few ditches actually built and operated. These projects began at the state line and formed an interlacing net-work like half-links in a chain, on either side cf the river and on down to the forks of the Platte. Cheyenne county had all of the river frontage within her limits well marked and covered and wherever a land owner or the land owners under any completed canal gave proper attention to the cultivation of the land and the irrigation of their crop, most satisfactory results were obtained. Railroads were quick to see the possibilities and they paralleled and crossed the valley. Towns sprang up. Manufacturing industries were established and many towns have been founded whose prosperity is evidenced by stores, schools and churches, followed by the establishment of electric lighting plants and city pumping stations. These features